Rei smiled to himself as he walked home alongside Nagisa. The smaller boy was chattering excitedly about swim club. Today had been their last indoor joint practice and they were scheduled to start swimming in their own pool the next day. Rei smiled again as he thought of how excited everyone was, especially the small blonde next to him.
Glancing sideways at said blonde, Rei felt the smile drop from his face. He felt the now familiar feeling of butterflies flapping around in the pit of his stomach. He'd been feeling that way for the past couple of weeks, ever since Nagisa had called him "beautiful". He sighed and studied his feet, contemplating his emotions. No one had made him feel this way before. Then again, no one else acted the way Nagisa acted around him. He was always so open, and so persistent at being friends. Most people were turned away by his cold demeanor. But Nagisa wasn't. Why?
He sighed again. Rei did not like not understanding things.
"…all right, Rei?" He started at the sound of his name. Nagisa had stopped walking, and was a few paces behind. Rei stopped walking as well. He adjusted his glasses to hide his embarrassment, before turning to face Nagisa.
"I'm sorry, what was that?" Rei asked, smiling sheepishly.
"You've been kinda distant today. I was wondering if something was wrong." Nagisa repeated. The blonde was not wearing one of his usual smiles, instead looking at the blue haired boy in concern. It made Rei sad when Nagisa didn't smile.
"No, nothing's wrong! I'm just thinking about how happy everyone is at finally being able to use the school's pool." He rushed to reassure the blonde. He didn't like it when Nagisa wasn't happy. He liked it when Nagisa smiled. He liked the way it made his eyes light up, and how at times he would scrunch up his shoulders and cock his head to the side. Then his soft, golden hair would tumble about, framing his face in the most perfect way. It made Rei's heart beat faster every time.
Yes, Nagisa. Something is wrong. Rei thought to himself as he stared down at Nagisa's disbelieving face. I have a crush on the most beautiful boy I have ever met, and he thinks of me as nothing more than a friend. He watched as Nagisa's brow furrowed more. He was cute even when he pouted.
"No, something's wrong. I can tell! Now, what's bothering you Rei-chan?" he asked again, striding over to the taller boy and standing on tip-toe to look him in the eye.
"U-um, well…" Rei said, backing up a step at the sudden close proximity. He let out a sigh. "I guess I'm nervous. You all swim so well, and I don't even know how! What if I can't learn how to swim?" he said truthfully. He couldn't tell him what was really bothering him, so why not tell him the next best thing? He didn't want to embarrass himself in front of his crush or his friends. He saw Nagisa's face soften, before it broke into the brilliant smile he so loved.
"Aww, Rei-chan! I know you can learn how to swim! I bet it won't even take a week!" Nagisa exclaimed. Rei smiled back, glad he had managed to get the boy back to his usual smiling state.
"You're right, Nagisa! I'll have the swimming theory memorized by tomorrow!" Nagisa laughed at that.
"Hey! What's so funny? I'm serious!" he pouted. Nagisa's smile simply grew wider.
They continued to walk toward Rei's house. Rei noticed that Nagisa was quieter now. Rei wondered why.
Nagisa slowed his walking as they neared Rei's block. He liked their little walks. He liked Rei's company. He enjoyed the way Rei would patiently listen to him chatter on about this and that, not getting annoyed like most people did. He liked the way he would chuckle slightly at his jokes, even the stupid ones. He liked Rei in general. Not that he'd let the other boy know that, of course.
Nagisa sighed happily, and stuck his hands in his pockets. They were walking on a rather dark street now, with not much but the full moon to light their way. He looked up at the sky, his smile if contentment evolving into a wide grin as he stopped walking.
"Rei-chan! Look how pretty!" he yelled, pointing up at the sky. It was a completely clear night, and despite the light pollution from the town around them, many stars could still be seen.
"Beautiful!" he heard the blue haired boy gasp. Glancing over, Nagisa saw a rather dreamy smile appear on his friend's face. It was rare to see Rei with such a relaxed expression. Beautiful indeed. He thought.
They stood looking up at the stars for another few moments. Then Nagisa looked down at his watch and frowned. It was almost time for his curfew. He sighed, before looking over at Rei once again. Grabbing the arm of the other boy, he laughed and tugged at him gently so he would start walking again. Rei glanced down, and suddenly their eyes met. Both boys froze for a split second. Nagisa felt a blush creep up his cheeks, and he was glad it was so dark. He quickly dropped Rei's arm and looked away as they began walking again. He walked a few paces more, before giving in to curiosity and glancing back to Rei.
The other boy was once again looking up at the stars as he walked, seemingly absorbed in thought. Nagisa felt his blush return as he watched, and quickly looked down at his shoes before the Rei could notice him staring.
They were walking up a rather old street now, and the sidewalks weren't that good. Nagisa noticed a large crack in the ground and turned around to warn Rei, who was still looking at the sky. Suddenly, the blue haired boy tripped! Flailing his arms about in an attempt to regain his balance, he just about fell over. Nagisa rushed forward on instinct and caught Rei as he fell forward. Rei looked up, still being supported by the smaller boy's arms, and their eyes met again. Nagisa hurriedly steadied Rei on his feet, blushing fiercely for the third time that night.
"Y-you should watch where you're going, Rei-chan! You could have hurt yourself. You're lucky I was here to save you!" Nagisa chided as he brushed some nonexistent dirt off of himself, obviously flustered. Rei rolled his eyes at his last statement, and crossed his arms in a pout.
"You hardly saved me. The most I would have gotten was a few bruises. Maybe a scrape." When the blonde boy glared up at him, he sighed. "But, thank you, Nagisa."
The other boy beamed up at him, before stumbling over another crack in the cement himself. Rei rolled his eyes again, and smiled fondly.
"My hero." He muttered to himself, earning a teasing shove from the other. The two boys continued in comfortable silence the rest of the way to Rei's house.
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AN: So there it is! The end of the first chapter of my very first Free! Fic. Was it good? Was anyone OOC? Please, Review and tell me! The next chapter should be up later today!
